Telescopic Corner Assembly With Independent Locking for Structural Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interim closures for construction sites are expensive, require individual on-site construction, lack insulation, and are vulnerable to unauthorized access, with components prone to loosening due to vibrations and environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A corner assembly with grooves for telescopic reception of elongated structural elements and tool-free locking mechanisms, allowing easy adjustment and secure fastening of structural frames to fit various openings, using toggle clamps or swing clamps for frictional fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional interim closures use simple wood frames with plastic sheets, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but insulation performance and security are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional wood and plastic to aluminum profiles with thermal insulation cores, and the closure panel from simple plastic sheets to composite panels with insulation and security features. This parameter change simultaneously improves insulation performance and security while maintaining cost-effectiveness through standardized aluminum profile construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction with aluminum profiles containing thermal insulation cores, and closure panels combining multiple layers including insulation materials and security features. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple functions (structural support, thermal insulation, security) into a single cost-effective system.
2Manufacturing precision
If interim closures are customized for each structural opening, then fit and precision are improved, but manufacturing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interim closure system into standardized modular components: aluminum profiles with fixed lengths and connection mechanisms, and interchangeable closure panels. This segmentation allows rapid assembly and adjustment to fit different structural openings without custom manufacturing, resolving the time-precision contradiction through standardized modules that can be configured for various dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable and movable elements in the closure system, allowing the standardized modules to be dynamically reconfigured for different opening dimensions. The profiles can be extended or shortened, and panels can be swapped, enabling precise fit to various openings while maintaining rapid deployment through standardized components.
3Ease of operation
If pipes of side members and corners are only secured when pane is fastened, then assembly simplicity is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to loosening under vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling and pre-securing the corner pieces to the aluminum profiles during manufacturing, creating pre-assembled modules. This preliminary securing ensures structural stability from the outset, while the modular nature of these pre-assembled units maintains ease of field assembly and adjustment when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The aluminum profile system incorporates self-service features with integrated connection mechanisms that automatically secure components together through friction-fit or interlocking designs. This self-securing mechanism maintains structural stability under vibration while requiring minimal assembly intervention, resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and structural stability.
4Strength
If structural frames are made from steel, then strength and durability are improved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel to aluminum alloys with optimized cross-sectional profiles. The aluminum profiles are designed with thicker walls and optimized geometric shapes that provide equivalent or superior structural strength to steel while reducing weight by approximately 30-40%. This parameter change resolves the strength-weight contradiction through material substitution and profile optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction with aluminum profiles containing thermal insulation materials and reinforced structural elements. This composite approach maintains structural strength by strategically placing load-bearing aluminum components while reducing overall weight through the use of lighter aluminum material compared to steel, and the insulation core adds minimal weight while providing additional functional benefits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables cost-effective, flexible, and stable assembly of structural frames that can be adjusted to fit different dimensions without tools, providing insulation and security against unauthorized access, while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a first and a second locking mechanisms arranged for independently of each other releasably fastening the first and second elongated structural element in the corresponding first and second groove
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates a corner assembly for use in a structural frame, said corner assembly comprises a housing defining a first and a second groove arranged at a predetermined angle to each other, and wherein the first groove is arranged for telescopically receiving and/or displacing a first elongated structural element and the second groove is arranged for telescopically receiving and/or displacing a second elongated structural element, and wherein the corner assembly further comprises a first and a second locking mechanisms arranged for independently of each other releasably fastening the first and second elongated structural element in the corresponding first and second groove. Since both the first and second locking mechanism is arranged for individually securing/fastening an elongated structural element to the corner assembly, the telescopic extension/displacement of each elongated structural element can be individually and independently adjusted irrespectively of the extension/displacement of the other elongated structural element.